India, Feb. 10 -- The Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking has asked the state government for over Rs.5,000 crore to address the multiple issues that it is currently facing. One of the most urgent matters on hand is the redressal of the problems faced by thousands of retired BEST employees by paying them their long-pending pension and gratuity dues. With multiple unions threatening to go on strike if these demands are not addressed, the BEST top brass is in a tight corner.

Sources said that earlier this month, BEST general manager Sonia Sethi wrote a letter to the state government, apprising it of the threat from the unions. The letter, a copy of which is with Hindustan Times, states, 'For the purpose of payin...